OK, Wayne. 10 Books that have stuck with me. 1) The Lord of the Rings (J.R.R Tolkien) - I think every fan of fantasy would have this somewhere on their list. I usually get around to reading it again once a year. The basis of comparison for other fantasy reading. 2) The Colour of Magic (Terry Pratchett) - Although I like the Witches and the Watch better, the antics of Rincewind and Twoflower in this book introduced to the Discworld and a series Ive read ever since. The funniset fantasy series I have come across. 3) The 1st edition AD&D Players Handbook. Got this in a box of fantasy books from a neighbour and was launched into role-playing. A great way to pass time in country N.S.W. whilst growing up and how I met Wayne, Paris and the other friends I met after moving to Melbourne. 4) The 4th Edition Warhammer rulebook. A game I discovered at Uni thanks to a mutual friend of both myself and Wayne. Launched me into a hobby which I love and continue to be involved in to this day. Thanks Damien. 5) Tales of a Dying Earth (Jack Vance) - I read this for the first time at university thanks to the recommended reading list in the 1st edition D&D Dungeon Masters Guide. The first fantasy book I read where the protagonists werent heroic or even necessarily nice people. Plus perhaps the oddest wizards I have ever read (and with wizards thats saying something). 6) Magician (Raymond Feist) - I know most people will put their favourite books on this list and this will be among them. For me, this booki s on the list for a different reason which may will disagree with. I genuinely dislike this book and it was the first fantasy book I had read about which I felt this way. Thus it made me more critical and to realise that fantasy doesnt automatically equal enjoyable. It also made me able to walk away from a series I dont enjoy. 7) A Game of Thrones (George R. R. Martin) - SPOILERS. The death of Ned Stark was the most genuinely surprising, but retrospectively obvious, development Ive come across. Martins willingness to allow any character, even main protagonists to suffer unfortunate but logical consequences of the actions of themselves and others means that I am still engrossed in this series and eagerly awaiting the next instalment. 8) The Lies of Locke Lemora (Scott Lynch) - The first book in my absolute favourite book series. A utterly unrepentant but still likeable crook and his loyal crew who set out to pull off increasingly grand swindles and get themselves into massive trouble along the way. One of the few times Im cheering for the crooks to win. 9) Colours in the Steel (K J Parker) - The series that made me realise that fantasy doesnt have to be about the movers and shakers of their world. A washed up judicial fencer and instructor gets caught up in events that happen, in part, because of his past military service. The second book of the series contains a shock which makes you genuinely question if you have been cheering for the wrong side and even by the the end of the series, the author hasnt forced the issue. It is more a matter of personality preference than the worthiness of any particular character. 10) Unknown 70s DC comic. I couldnt tell you its title but this is probably the most formative reading experience I have ever had. Not only did it begin my lifelong hobby, but it inspired my imagination and made me into the geek I am today. This comic, whose title I cant remember has shaped my personality and my life in ways I probably do not even realise.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 03:34:39 +0000
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